There are many variations to make push ups more challenging. Here are 3 of my favorites :

Feet elevated– put your feet up in a bench or small step. I am using a foot stool at home. The decline push up targets upper chest and the front of your shoulders more.

Med ball- keep one hand on a medicine ball and one hand on the ground. The offset position requires your core to stabilize your body even more and the side with the ball has an increased range of motion

1.5– Adding a half rep makes a huge difference! Go to the bottom position, come about halfway up, go back to the bottom position, then all the way up. That counts as 1 rep

The problem here is the stress it can place on your rotator cuff as well as your elbow joint As someone who has a rotator injury I can speak from experience

The pic on the bottom has my elbows tucked to about a 45 degree angle relative to my body. This position shortens the lever arm and ultimately will give you more power. Also much safer for your shoulders and elbows

If you have been flaring your elbows out and feel like bringing your elbows in “feels funny” or that maybe your range of motion slightly decreased, just one reminder..